KU to focus on 12 areas in effort to increase effectiveness, efficiency

LAWRENCE — The second phase of a University of Kansas initiative designed to devote more resources to KU’s teaching and research mission will focus on 12 administrative areas.

Since April, KU has been undertaking an intensive self-study called Changing for Excellence, with the goal of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of administrative functions. The savings achieved will be dedicated to enhancing academic and research programs throughout the university.

The effects of the recession and state budget crisis require KU to change the way it operates if it is to maintain current standards of quality, let alone make the improvements that are necessary to ensure KU’s future success, Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little told the university community in a message today.

“Change is always difficult, but if we realize the gains that are possible, we will strengthen this university for the future and allow us to excel in our mission of educating leaders, building healthy communities, and making discoveries that change the world,” said Gray-Little.

Hundreds of KU faculty and staff have participated so far, with teams from Huron Consulting interviewing stakeholders at all levels of the institution. Based on the information collected, the following 12 areas will be the subject of Phase 2. Some areas span all campuses, while others will focus on a subset.

Through October, the Huron team will develop business cases and implementation plans, which will include assessments of the costs and benefits of the proposals. Faculty and staff stakeholders, whose participation has been vital to the first phase of the study, will continue to provide important input in the development of the business cases and implementation plans.

The executive committee will carefully review the resulting business cases and implementation plans before making decisions about which plans to implement.

The goal will be to identify ways to improve the level of service and cost-effectiveness of KU’s administrative functions with minimal disruption to faculty, students and staff. Indeed, it is expected that changing how KU operates will likely open up greater opportunities for employees to contribute to the success of the university.

More detail on the scope of the 12 areas can be found online at http://chancellor.ku.edu/changingforexcellence/.

The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for
KU's Lawrence campus.